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The International Track of seminars featured representatives from regions including Asia, Australia, Canada, El Salvador, Panama and the United Arab Emirates. “I very much enjoyed hearing the different experiences from Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and Panama. This opened my eyes to the fact that in spite of the overwhelming number of facilities in the U.S., the self-storage business is in full bloom around the world as well,” said Kari Honkaniemi, owner of TK Markets, which provides services in international trade in an agency capacity.

ISS Store and Self-Storage TV

Launched at last year's expo, the Inside Self-Storage Store has made great strides, adding dozens of new products for all segments and learners of the business. During the 2013 event, attendees were able to use this online marketplace to pre-order copies of ISS Expo education DVDs and peruse dozens of other products including publications, training courses, videos, industry-performance reports and more.

“The online-shopping experience is allowing self-storage operators to access rich educational resources when they need them, essentially tailoring their own training and professional development,” says Teri L. Lanza, editorial director for ISS and a co-creator of the ISS Store. “Our goal is to empower users to expand their knowledge and improve their business at will. We’re thrilled to see owners and managers embrace the store with such zest. It indicates another key shift in the self-storage operational landscape.”

This year, ISS debuted yet another great industry resource: Self-Storage TV. Similar to YouTube but specific to the storage business, SSTV features an online stream of videos including how-to's, facility events and promotions, expert insights, and much more. Whether they want to learn, be entertained or both, viewers will find something of interest on the channel. They can even search by topic using a convenient drop-down menu.

Making Deals on the Show Floor

The ISS Exhibit Hall featured 132 companies and included a number of returning vendors such as Chateau Products Inc., Janus International and Sentinel Systems Corp. There were also 15 first-time exhibitors including EcoPact, Eva-dry and Local Search Association.

The hall opened on Wednesday evening with a two-hour cocktail reception, sponsored by Sentinel. Although the evening preview presented a casual atmosphere, vendors were extremely busy and booking business. “The customers that came by were more serious than years past,” said Julie Plunkett, vice president of Capco Steel Inc., a steel supplier and erector of metal buildings, and RV and boat storage.

Many attendees were ready to spend money on the show floor. “We had six people order trucks right at the show. Customers are ready to buy and invest in their storage business,” says C.J. Steen, marketing director for On the Move Inc., which offers a turnkey rental-truck program and a tenant-protection program.

Likewise, Mako signed a substantial contract at the event. “On Wednesday, we got a contract on a 22,000-square-foot expansion in Colorado,” Wright says. “I've been exhibiting at tradeshows for more than 20 years, and this is only the third time we were awarded a contract at a tradeshow.”

Amusement Abounds

The ISS Expo wasn’t all work and no play. It was Vegas, after all! From showgirls to zombies to astronauts, attendees were treated to some interesting sights. Plus, several vendors had giveaways for great prizes.

Attendees flocked to the booth for online-auction website StorageBattles.com to have their picture taken with a classic Las Vegas showgirl in full dress. Robert Madsen, a Self-Storage Talk moderator and president of U-Lock Mini Storage Group in Canada, commanded attention with his space suit, garnering support for his quest to attend the Axe Apollo Space Academy Space Camp in Orlando, Fla. Another vendor dispatched zombies into the crowd to shake things up.